Factory-Original Ford RS Cosworths – signed

Sale!

£40.00£35.00

By Dan Williamson

When Ford teamed up with Cosworth Engineering to breathe life onto its humdrum Sierra, few knew it would be the birth of a motoring legend.

Through circuit racing and supercar-humbling on-road ability, the 1985 Sierra RS Cosworth quickly became a household name. A practical four-seater boasting 204bhp from its two-litre turbocharged powerplant, the RS Cosworth’s massive performance was equalled only by an extroverted rear wing designed for high-speed stability.

Other RS Cosworths soon followed. The restrained four-door Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth of 1988 was Ford’s vision of a 150mph executive express; two years later, its four-wheel-drive successor returned the firm to rallying.

By 1992, Ford had squeezed the 4×4’s running gear into a shorter Escort body, complete with 227bhp engine and ever-more-aggressive aerodynamic aids. The limited-edition Monte Carlo came in 1994, followed by the final RS Cosworth – a revised Escort with smaller turbocharger and user-friendly appeal. Production ceased in 1996.

Today, each model has a loyal following among motorsport fans and fast Ford enthusiasts. And as the cars become increasingly sought-after, so too does the pursuit of perfection.

This book examines RS Cosworth authenticity, outlining standard specifications alongside in-depth colour photography of outstanding examples of the breed. From body panels and trim to turbochargers and tyres; from interior fabrics and paint schemes to shock absorbers and stickers, Ford’s factory-original fitments are covered in comprehensive detail.

The launch of the Sierra RS Cosworth in 1985 was a giant step forward for Ford. Initially developed for competition homologation, it was soon one of the most desirable fast cars that the public could buy. Its performance, at the time, was truly astonishing and remains highly impressive today. It was also the first of a family of turbocharged sporting Ford Cosworth models, ranging through the Sierra RS Cosworth, Sierra RS500 Cosworth, the Sapphire RS Cosworth, the Rouse Sport RS Cosworth, the Escort RS Cosworth and the Escort RS Bosworth Monte Carlo.

All these cars are doubly desirable today, and owners and potential owners anxious to establish the cars’ correct original factory specifications and equipment will find all the information they need here in this book, backed up by hundreds of specially commissioned colour photographs of outstanding examples. All aspects are covered: body panels, external trim and badging, paint colours, interior trim, dashboard, instruments and switches, underbonnet components, engine and transmission, lamps, and all other features right down to the tool kit. Of particular interest is the detailed information provided on components developed for and unique to the RS Cosworths as against the standard Ford models, and on the parts borrowed or adapted from a variety of Ford models to create the perfect recipe.